Steelers 27, Browns 14
Q. DeShon, after the first touchdown, what adjustments did you make in the secondary to take away what they were trying to do?
DeSHON ELLIOTT: We were just playing our brand of football. That first touchdown was just a play breakdown. We got to apply, be technically sound. That one play, we weren't. After that we were like, Okay, let's get back to it.
We felt like going into this game it was very important just to make sure we didn't make the same mistakes from last time. I think we went out there and played efficiently.
Q. DeShon, what is it when this defense has so many different players that make plays?
DeSHON ELLIOTT: Sorry?
Q. Why do you think it is with this defense so many different players make plays?
DeSHON ELLIOTT: We got the guys. We've been doing this since Latrobe. Built these building blocks for weeks and months on hand. I feel like if we play together, we can be a great defense. We got the guys up front. It starts there. It starts with the bigs. If the bigs are having a great game, it makes everyone else's job easier. We have great linebackers and we have a technically sound and play-making secondary.
Once we get going, I think we're a great defense. We will be a great defense. We haven't shown it full yet. Once we put a good game together, everyone will see that.
Q. Keeanu gets that interception...
DeSHON ELLIOTT: It's cool. I was on the post in that play. Seeing the screen happen, seeing him put his hands up and catch it, I didn't know he's athletic (smiling). He had a lot of PBs this year because he's a great player. I didn't know he had those ball skills, too.
He was trying to get out of there. I think the running back was trying to make him fumble. Great ball security. Really proud find Keeanu, second year. Seeing the growth he's had this whole year, watching the tape from last year, it's only up for him.
Q. What does that three outside linebacker set that you had today allow you to do as a defense? Open up the packages on third downs?
DeSHON ELLIOTT: We have so much depth. Our first string and second string with a lot of talent. We're just trying to figure out where to get everybody on the field. That really confuses offenses, they don't know what to do. They've never played against somebody with this much talent.
We have Highsmith, we have 91, Herb and T.J. and fricking Cam at 45 years old is out there getting two sacks a game. That's crazy (smiling).
Q. Is there still some satisfaction in avenging the loss from a couple weeks ago?
DeSHON ELLIOTT: I would say yes because when you are better than a team, you know you are better than a team, you go in there, lay a big old goose egg on Thursday night, it really sucks.
At the same time, it was not a get-back game. It was, like I said, just for us to fix those things we know we're good at, things that shouldn't have happened in the first place.
It felt good because also it's a divisional game. With that we might be another game and a half ahead in the division. These next four weeks is important. Just got to take it one game at a time, then on to Philly.
Q. What about your defense allows you to make adjustments in game?
DeSHON ELLIOTT: Everyone is smart. Everyone on the defense is savvy. We blend well together. We've been doing this for months, man. If you can't make in-game adjustments, how great can you be? Everyone is always on one page.
Also another thing is, like, being an interchangeable part, play multiple positions as some of the guys can do. Proud of the guys, how we played, the adversity we've had over the year. Man, this run is going to be cool.
Q. After the running the gauntlet of the AFC North, how much are you looking forward to playing the Eagles?
DeSHON ELLIOTT: Great team offensively and defensively. They have a possible offensive Player of the Year, a possible MVP at running back. Jalen has been doing it at a high level for years. Brown is out there, Goedert.
This is a (indiscernible) matchup, so go back to the drawing board and prepare. It's not a cakewalk, especially the Philadelphia Eagles. We'll see.
Q. What about James Pierre coming in and making the interception?
DeSHON ELLIOTT: Jamie has had a great week of practice. He has great week of practice every week. That's just the football gods awarding him for the hard work, the things he's done over the year. I think he got here week three, week four. Since I've been knowing him, he brings great energy. Great player, great person, great man. Really cool him reaps what he sows.
Q. Three of the best teams in the league coming up. Were you aware of that?
DeSHON ELLIOTT: We know it now. We've been knowing it for the last couple weeks. Got to line up and play. It's just going to show us how good we can be. There's no excuses obviously. The league makes the schedule. You can't do anything about it.
Depending on the flags, it happened today, I feel like the league kind of hates us already, man. It's all right. We're going to go out here, play those games, work our butts off, go out and be 3-0.
God bless. Y'all take care.
FastScripts Transcript by ASAP Sports